Pay for training?

I am interested in how other departments compensate their employees to attend classes off-duty. Do you only pay for the class fee? What about an hourly pay, hotel costs, meals, books, etc.? What if you require the class in order for this person to fill an open slot on your department(Dive team for example)With FLSA, the State Board of Accounts, overtime, etc. how do you do it? Does your insurance cover this person if they are in class off duty? Let me know!